Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

After an offseason filled with promise, the reality of what it means to be an NFL quarterback has slapped Tim Tebow across the face. It wasn't long ago that Tebow was thought to be the Broncos' future. Kyle Orton was on the trading block, the team's 2010 first-round pick would assume his role under center and get Denver back to winning and the playoffs, all would be right with the world.

"My dream, since I was a young boy, of being a starting quarterback in the NFL seemed to be coming true," Tebow told Paige. "Then, I felt like it was grabbed back away. . . ."

Tebow, we think, is referring to the trade-that-didn't-materialize that would've shipped Orton out of town. While new head coach John Fox has publicly stated that the job is Orton's, the word on the street is that he will be under center when the Broncos begin the season.

As for the media criticism, Tebow, like Chad Henne in Miami, has had trouble ignoring it.

"I'm trying to insulate myself from what people in the media are saying, but I've seen some of it, and it hurts because it's coming from people who haven't seen me practice, haven't seen me play, haven't seen what I can do," he said, according to Paige. "I did an interview the other day with someone on the NFL Network who said last year I'd never play a down in the NFL. He was wrong.

"Others who say I won't make it are wrong. They don't know what I'm capable of and what's inside me. My family and my friends have been bothered by what's gone on, and I tell them to pay no attention to it. I'm relying as always on my faith."

As we mentioned on Friday's Eye on Football Podcast, we think most people would agree that Orton gives the Broncos the best chance to win now, although Tebow could one day be an NFL starting QB. It's just that the day hasn't arrived yet. So while Hoge's sentiments aren't particularly controversial, the way he delivered them clearly rubbed some people the wrong way, including Tebow.

So is that a problem? Or is public criticism part of the implicit deal professional athletes make when they sign lucrative contracts and play on national television every week?

Because, clearly, Tebow and Henne would disagree with that last paragraph.

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

I can't speak for Merril Hoge except to say that he understands football. Perhaps he, like so many of us, is tired of all the Tebow promotion that has more to do with religion than football. The fact of the matter is that Tebow isn't a starting NFL QB, at least not for a team that expects to win. Everyone knows it, but the media knows that the crazy Christian right loves this guy, so they promote him.

Think about this - being a player in the NFL is a job. At what other job can you constantly talk about religion without being fired? Why does the NFL allow it?

Since: Aug 5, 2011

Posted on: August 5, 2011 1:02 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

First of all I have never had to go through such a pain in the @SS sign up process just to leave a comment so thanks for that!
Orton better ride the bench, he will be walking into the lions cage and all 76125 lions are starved! Every little mistake will be booed and he would have to be PERFECT and win the big game for people to accept him in Denver. He has no chance of going any better than another dumb @SS 8-8 season. FXE should be very careful at this point, fans are not happy at all and the wrong move is Orton! No one wants to watch even one more boring game with Orton! He wants big time salary but he's done nothing to deserve it. The only thing that matters is wins, that's it. Tebow needs to start THIS season not next! Life long fans are saying they won't even watch a game if Orton starts and that's saying something pretty big. You don't have a free pass up there at Dove Valley, Denver is done with Orton and fans will show just to boo at him and run him and his mediocre skills right out of town. It's Tebow time right now!!!!

Since: Jul 4, 2011

Posted on: August 5, 2011 12:56 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

For such a great "leader", Tebow is coming off as a big whiner lately. Sorry Orton didn't get out of town and hand you the starting job. "Others who say I won't make it are wrong. They don't know what I'm capable of and what's inside me."

Put your money where yor mouth is, Tebow. If you are so capable, WIN THE JOB!

Since: Aug 5, 2011

Posted on: August 5, 2011 12:47 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

Facts Orton great QB just not great when it counts during the game. Of course he should look better then Tim due to the fact he has been in the league 7 or more years. Record while Orton started 3-10. What makes you all think he is the best for Denver. Tebow while not the protypical NFL QB started 3 games in which they had a chance to win all 3 and the one they won the defense came up with an interception after a game winning drive for them to win. I would really like to see a comparison of the defense statistics while Orton started to when Tebow started. I think the defense improved those games because they knew they had a guy that would do whatever he could to win which they didn't feel about Orton. While Orton is the best NFL QB prototype. Tebow is a winner...

Since: Aug 22, 2006

Posted on: August 5, 2011 12:44 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

While I respect Tim Tebow's religous beliefs, I'm not sure that "relying as always on my faith" is the solution to his problems in Denver. I think most people woud agree that getting better and outplaying the guy ahead of you on the depth chart might be a better plan if he really wants to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a starting QB in the NFL. The reason it was "grabbed back away" from him was because Orton is outplaying him.

Since: Apr 24, 2011

Posted on: August 5, 2011 12:29 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

I completely agree with ya Simeric2. Tebow's idea of the process of getting the starting job is to hope for a trade that sends the better QB packing. That just shouts im doing everything i can to be the best ever so its up to the gods to make me starter. The media, the fans, and the coaches all see Orton is the best QB on that depth chart. No question. Theres always going to be someone better than you on the roster so you strive to out play them. Thats why whining Tebow needs to stop the whole dream was grabbed away. Seems more like he let it slip away. The best player will play, so become the best player.

Since: Dec 8, 2008

Posted on: August 5, 2011 12:22 pm

Tebow on starting job: 'it was grabbed back away'

Sure Merril's comments were harsh, but a pro athlete can find stinging comments anytime if they look around enough. Tebow and his fans should not care what is or is not said in the media. He needs to out-perform the other QBs on his team. If being a starter now is important to him, and he's not the best QB on his team, he must try to find one where he is. Tebow's mindset seems to indicate that some outside force is responsible for his standing on the depth chart. That's an attitude that will hinder his ability to overtake the starter on the practice field.